Kiara’s arrival day wiped Briana out enough to send her to her crib before her already early bedtime. Getting a brand new aunt would have been enough for one day – she was exhausted from the additions of being Melody’s emotional support, and feeling like she had to be wary of her Littleness around Emeline. Unfortunately, early bedtimes combined poorly with Briana’s bedwetting. She’d woken in the wee hours of the morning to the sound of Melody’s gentle snores. Peeking out of her crib bars, Briana smiled down at her sleeping sibling. Rosa had offered to stay at her apartment while Kiara was visiting, since the Rasmussen roommates had already ousted Suzie from her bedroom to make space for Grandma Michelle. As much as Briana had jumped at the chance to have a sleepover with her sibling, Melody had been just as eager to not sleep alone.
We need more house, so that everyone can live together, Briana thought, wistfully. I wonder if Grandma ever made a decision about moving in next door. She and Melody had worked really hard to convince Grandma – but she was as tough a lady as anyone in the family. All Briana could do was hope that all her cute convincing hadn’t gone to waste.
In the dim amber light of Briana’s baby monitor, she and Melody were ensconced in a private island of light. Outside the windows, Ardenthill was especially quiet, hushed by snow and a town emptied out in the week between Christmas and New Years. The house should have followed suit and been quiet as a tomb. Or would “Quiet as a Catacomb” be better? Briana wondered. Both analogies were too macabre for Briana’s usual monologue, but a desire to emulate her mom had her playing with various flavors of Goth aesthetic. Though nothing she’d tried had felt quite right, Briana was sure she’d find the right way to compliment her mom eventually.
As it happened that morning, the house was not quiet. The sounds of someone working in the kitchen were unmistakable, if muted by the thoughtfulness of whoever was up. Few of the people in the house would be up so early, and even less of them would feel the need to clean or prepare food. The odds were that it was either Mom or Dad. Briana snuck out of her crib and past her sleeping sibling. She was in need of some more parental bonding time almost as much as she needed a diaper change. The ancient wooden stairs from the upstairs balcony-hall to the living room creaked as always, though quietly enough under Briana’s slight weight.
She hadn’t decided if she was going to jump out at whichever parent was up, or go for a sneaky hug – when her attempt at a surprise was turned back on her. Instead of her parents, grandmother, or any of her roommates, the source of the kitchen noise was Kiara. Gone was her fancy dress and elegant jewelry. Kiara’s mass of tight curls was pulled back and covered with a white headwrap. She wore a simple green smock dress, her back turned to Briana as she put the house’s biggest mixing bowl into the stand mixer. The counters were covered in cut fruit, bags of flower and sugar, and enough other ingredients to make food for an army.
“Come on in, Briana,” Kiara said, without a backwards glance.
“How!” Briana winced at the way her squeak of surprise bounced off the kitchen walls and lowered her tone. “How did you know it was me?”
“I heard someone on the stairs but not on the living room floor.” Kiara turned around to smile at Briana. “You’re the only one small and mischievous enough to try and sneak up on me.”
“No fair.” Briana giggled and scurried over to her aunt for a hug. Kiara passed the test, squeezing Briana just as enthusiastically as she had when they’d met. “What’s all this?”
“Breakfast!” Kiara smiled. “We have a house full of people, plus I’m sure that Rosa at least will be over early, I’m not sure what other folks might stop by.”
“But, it’s too early for breakfast.”
“It was going to take a while doing it by myself, but now that I’ve caught myself a helper, it should go faster.”
“Okay, I can help!” Briana bounced on her toes. As full as it was, her diaper was on a bounce-delay, the crotch of it sloshing to a stop low enough that she was sure its tapes weren’t long for the world. “Um, I kinda really need a diaper change, though. I can see if Mom’s up. Sometimes she wakes up but doesn’t get out of bed.”
“There’s no way that Vonnie woke up, heard me in the kitchen, and stayed in bed – we both know that.” Kiara took Briana’s hand with her flour dusted one and set off for the drawing room. “I’ll get you changed.”
“Are you sure? Do you know what to do?” Briana was thrown into a scrambling waddle in an attempt to keep up with her tall aunt’s strides.
“It seems like it should work the same for a baby girl of any size. Is that right?” Kiara patted the changing table top, giving Briana a squishy boost to help her climb up.
“Yeah, pretty much.” Briana lay back and gathered her nightgown around her waist. It was a relief feel Kiara’s confidant, businesslike tugs at the tapes on her diaper – both to get the soggy padding off her and for the hopeful lack of fumbling it implied. For a first time adult baby-girl diaper changer, Kiara ranked above Melody and Tamira, but below Veronica. The hug Kiara gave Briana after taping her diaper up, revised Briana’s impression of the experience, to just below the first change she’d gotten from her mom.
“Ready to be my good kitchen helper?” Kiara asked.
“I’m not a super good cook, or a baker at all, but I’ll try!” Briana sat up on the changing table and saluted.
“Don’t worry, I’m great at giving instructions.” Kiara grinned.
Like most things about Kiara, her purported skill at instruction was no boast. Though the directions she gave Briana were direct to the point of being blunt, they never felt dismissive or condescending. The thing that made Kiara’s style work was the way she blended patient tutoring with direct communication. That revelation came together for Briana as she was folding the egg-whites she’d beaten to soft-peaks into the waffle batter. At every step, her aunt had been there to show Briana exactly how to do what she was asking of the Little girl, and she actively encouraged questions. After Kiara guided Briana’s hand twice to pour the perfect amount of batter into Veronica’s waffle makers, she could do it on her own every time.
At first, the process was a delight. Briana would pour exactly the right amount of batter into one of the venerable cast-iron waffle makers and set it on the stove. She’d pour the second, wipe away splatters, and flip the first waffle iron before setting the second on the stove. Then it was a simple matter of putting the freshly cooked waffle in the warming area, flipping the second maker, and wiping down the first one. The process ran perfectly under Briana, she didn’t mind that Kiara checked in periodically to make sure the Little girl was being careful around the hot irons. By the time she reached the bottom of the enormous bowl of batter, however, Briana wasn’t sure if she was a Little girl or a waffle making robot.
When her Sisyphean pile of waffles was done and delivered to the table, they joined a queenly breakfast table with sausages, scones, eggs, and fruit, all beautifully presented on Veronica’s nice plates. As Briana was tucking jams, syrups, and pitchers of cream among the plates, the smells pulled the rest of the house’s occupants in.
“How did I know you were going to do this, Ki?” Veronica laughed as she set plates on the table.
“The last time I was here, you teased me about only making a German apple pancake.” Kiara set down a pitcher of juice, hugged her mother, and swept back to the stove to wipe it down in a single continuous motion. “This is what you get.”
“This is beautiful, but I don’t see an Apfel Pfannkuchen. Were you not able to make one of those as well?” Jane had a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she poured out coffee and set a second pot brewing.
“Are you trying to provoke me?” Kiara laughed.
“If this feast is the result of provoking you, then please consider yourself provoked.”
“I see you had a kitchen helper.” Grandma was on hand with a wet cloth to wipe Briana’s hands, the front of her nightgown – and had she somehow gotten waffle batter on her face? “You’ve worked hard, scoot to a chair now, Little Rose.”
“Yes Gramma.” Briana plopped down in her usual seat and piled whipped cream on a waffle until the pastry was completely obscured. Suzie, Casey, Erin, and Emeline joined the table, making Melody the only one still in bed. No one, least of all Briana, was surprised at that. With Rosa not back from her apartment yet, there was no need to wake them. They’d appreciate a chance to eat breakfast with their Mamá and – Briana wasn’t quite clear if Rosa was a girlfriend or a fiancé for Melody after the ring Melody had been gifted at Christmas.
Conversation between housemates fell apart as they attacked the mountainous breakfast, words supplanted by satisfied noises and exclamations of foodie delight. Briana’s reward for eating a quarter of her plate-sized waffle, was Dad putting a trio of sausages in the cleared space. A protesting pout was met with a steady gaze and the eyebrow lift that meant Jane was Super Serious TM. By the time Briana was through her sausages, Mom had put some fruit on her plate. As a consequence, she was forced to leave half her waffle uneaten. As parental transgressions went, it was mild enough – especially as Mom and Dad had sat bracketing her, and let Briana lean against them sleepily when her stomach reached uncomfortable fullness.
“These waffles are amazing.” Suzie said, preparing another huge forkful of waffle and jam. “Did you really make them, Bri?”
“Aunt Kiara made the batter, but I folded the eggs into it, and poured them all, and cooked them!”
“Well done, kiddo.” Casey grinned at Briana from across the table. “I think you might be on waffle duty from now on.”
Briana’s excited grin faded as she was reminded of Emeline’s presence by the French woman asking Erin to pass her the butter. Kiara’s personal assistant hadn’t had any comments about Briana being treated like a child – or wearing diapers for that matter – and her expression was as carefully neutral as it had been the night before. That didn’t mean she didn’t have opinions about Briana’s – lifestyle – and the Little girl desperately wished she could get some alone time with Emeline to try to find out what they were.
Aunt Kiara must have told her about me – she didn’t look surprised at all last night when she met me, and I was all babied up. Briana chewed on her lip, studying Emeline out of the corner of her eye until she heard her name and retroactively processed what Kiara had said.
“I’m going to collect your dogs after we clean up, Mom,” Kiara said, polishing off her second helping of eggs. “I’ll show Briana around the place while I’m out there.”
“Lovely.” Grandma sipped demurely at her tea. “Don’t let her in the armory.”
“Ki, that’s not something we’ve talked about.” Veronica had an anxious note in her voice.
“You don’t have to worry, Vonnie, I’ll take care of her.” Kiara chuckled. “If I can manage a class of elementary school age kids in the Louvre, I can manage one Little girl.”
“Kiara.” Veronica set her fork down, carefully enunciating her sister’s full name. “You’re not listening to me. I’m Briana’s mother, and she’s not an independent adult. You need to ask my permission before you take her somewhere.”
The table’s side conversations came to an abrupt halt. Grandma looked from Kiara to Veronica with surprise – and what seemed to be pride. Kiara’s expression was surprised as well for a quiet conversational beat, before it became an accepting smile.
“I apologize, you’re a hundred percent right.” Kiara’s smile grew to a full bodied, beaming grin. “That’s the most confidently you’ve ever stood up to me. Motherhood really did change you.”
“You have no idea.” Veronica sighed fondly, putting an arm around Briana to draw her close. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I won’t do that to you again.” Kiara nodded. “May I take Briana to Mom’s house when I collect the dogs?”
“Please do, as long as you heed Mom’s warning about the armory.”
“No worries there.” Kiara turned to Grandma. “Mom, what’s the name of the girl you have housesitting for you?”
“Ava Singh,” Michelle said. “Lovely girl from the ABDU Biomedical Engineering program.”
“Everything’s been going well for her?” Kiara leaned back in her chair with her coffee. “She’s handling the pups fine?”
“Oh yes. I check in with her every other day. She’s doing a great job,” Michelle said. “Please let her know that she’ll be paid the full amount, even if we send her home early.”
“Ms. Rasmussen, would you like me to accompany you?” Emeline’s mode of address was met by three heads turning: Kiara’s, Veronica’s, and Michelle’s. More than ever, Briana was glad she’d decided to be Miss Rasmussen. “If not, I can assist your mother.”
“You’re at liberty for the next few days, Emma. You are owed a holiday – and a lot more than that.” Though Kiara’s expression remained friendly, her tone was shockingly firm for the breakfast table.
Emeline was unphased by a tone that would have had Briana shaking in her fluffy pink slippers. She merely nodded and replied, “Understood. Maybe I’ll go to the cinema, if anyone else is interested. Perhaps Ms. Rasmussen Senior?”
“I have no idea what’s playing, but I’m sure there’s something good at the Neptune,” Grandma said. “The folks running it always find interesting films.”
“They’re showing 8 Femmes!” Suzie interjected with an excited bounce in her chair. “I’ve seen it twice already, and I’m up to go again if anyone else is interested.”
“Isn’t that a murder mystery?” Erin asked, raising her brows skeptically.
“It’s a Lesbian, Christmas, murder mystery.” Suzie countered.
“I love whodunits and gay ladies,” Casey said. “Count me and my girlfriend in.” Erin laughed, shrugged, and nodded her agreement.
“That sounds amusing, I’d love to come,” Grandma said.
“I’ll ask Rosa and Melody if they’ll join us.” Veronica added.
“I’ve got the showtimes pulled up.” Jane said, as she fiddled with her phone.
“It’s good to see I can still start a trend. I’m looking forward to it.” Emeline said with a smug smile, before turning to Michelle. “I’ve been especially wanting an excuse to catch up with you and some of your recent business.” Kiara narrowed her eyes at Emeline’s last statement, but declined to comment, which only increased the smugness of her assistant’s expression. With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, Kiara got up for a fresh cup of coffee.
Emeline was already asking Michelle about some real estate deal. It didn’t seem to Briana that Emeline was planning to behave herself at all. She almost regretted her aunt commandeering her for a trip to Grandma’s house, for missing the chance to see what Emeline really did after Kiara left. However, nothing happening at the house was likely to top a whole new historic Rasmussen house to explore, nor the chance to meet her grandmother’s fabled dogs.
~~~*~~~
Briana and Kiara were pushed out of the kitchen early in the clean-up process, which Kiara protested and for which Briana was relieved. While her aunt prepared an overnight bag – the diaper portion thereof under Veronica’s supervision – Briana forced her heavy-bellied self up to her room. She discovered Melody in the perfect stage of waking up – too wakeful to complain about being disturbed, but sleepy enough to make a delightfully warm snuggle buddy. She wasted no time burrowing under Melody’s blankets and joining them on their air mattress.
“Morning sis.” Melody more yawned than spoke the words.
“Morning sib!”
“You smell like bacon.”
“Sausages. And waffles and oh-my-gosh there’s so much good food downstairs.”
“Good, that means there’s plenty for when Rosa gets here.” Melody threw an arm and a leg over Briana, tucking their head into her shoulder. “You can have second breakfast with us.”
“I can’t, Aunt Kiara is taking me on a trip to Grandma’s house.”
“Huh, for how long?”
“I don’t know, actually. It sounds like just overnight.”
“This is why I didn’t want any new family stuff until after New Years.” Melody grumped.
“Oh hush, you literally gave your mamá a weekend away for a Christmas present.”
“No fair remembering stuff.” Melody yawned. “When do you have to leave?”
“I dunno, but I’m sure there’s time for a nap.”
“I bet there isn’t.” Melody smirked. “Isn’t Grandma’s house hella far away? I bet auntie is going to want to get on the road right away.”
“You called her auntie!” Briana nuzzled Melody’s cheek until they grumpily pushed her away. “I knew you’d be at least a little excited to get a new aunt.”
“I still don’t know her well – but fine, I’ll try hard and stuff. For you.”
“You should do it for yourself, so you won’t have to be uncomfortable around her.”
“Take the W, sis, don’t argue your way down to an L.”
“Fine, you grumpus.” Briana tangled herself as much into Melody’s warmth as she could, only to be surprised at the dry crinkle when their legs entwined. “Your diaper is dry?”
“It’s not even a diaper, it’s a pullup.”
“At night!?” Briana’s brow furrowed, she pulled back to catch Melody’s gaze. “Are you all potty trained? Are you not going to – to wear anymore?”
“Look who’s worried about change now.” Melody kissed Briana on the forehead and squeezed her tightly. “You can stop worrying. I don’t think Mamá is going to let me out of pullups any time soon. Even if she did, I’ll always be a Little in some ways.”
“In some ways?” Briana clung to Melody, grabbing as much of her sibling’s pajamas as her petite fists could hold.
“I’m the big sibling, remember? And I always will be. Which means I’m bigger than you – but still a kid.”
“You’d better be.” Briana kept her tone petulant, but let herself relax, cuddling the full length of her body against Melody’s warmth.